@ Lament nothing wrong with the starting XV.
It's some of the fringe selections that are a bit perplexing. He may be an astute coach but anyone who's watched more than 20 minutes of rugby this season will know that Zane is no international fullback. Gio is possibly one of the most dynamic attacking fullback/wings in world rugby at the moment. He has barely put a foot wrong this season and I don't recall seeing miss a single tackle so that argument is mute.
In addition to that what has JJ Engelbrecht done this season to suggest he is more worthy than Juan De Jongh??
Then there is Kanko. I love him, he is a great 8th man but he has barely played this season where Josh Strauss has been epic in a lost cause.
One could go on, Jano Vermaak/Elton Jantjies combo is questionable although I reckon Elton with good go forward ball could surprise and impress. He's got a nose for the gap, great off the mark acceleration, not scared to tackle and impeccable kicking at goal and/or for touch. Having said that Grant, Jean and Juan would be a more settled flyhalf/mid field combination.
As for coaches:
1.) Rassie Erasmus - Genius, when Mallet was coaching the Boks he only ever asked 2 players for input, Henry Honiball and Rassie.
2.) Naka Drotske - Look how well Cheetahs do year after year despite losing all their big guns to other provinces.
3.) Nik Mallet - What a waste that this genius of the game is commenting from the inside of a studio!!! SARU and its fragile ego prevent him from returning
4.) Jake White - Look at what he has done in a short space of time at the Brumbies. Another genius of the game. SARU and its fragile ego prevent him from returning
5.) Heineke Meyer - I still maintain his success with the Bulls was on the back of some of the finest players the world has ever seen. Bakkies, Pierre at his prime, Victor, Fourie Du Preez, hell, Robinhood could have been coaching the Bulls, they still would have won everything... Would love to see a teamsheet of the Bulls team 2002 - 2008, who's who of SA rugby...
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